Label stacking apparatus

ABSTRACT

A label stacking apparatus including a tray for stacking individual labels in succession on edge and in a generally upright position. Label feeder means supply the labels in succession to the stacking tray, there being guide means opposite the feeder means outlet to guide the labels to the stacking tray inlet. In entering the stacking tray, the bottom portion of the labels tends to offer greater resistance to movement into the tray with the result that succeeding labels tend to become more and more canted. To obviate this, cyclically operated cam means are provided to push against the lower portion of the labels as each label enters the stacking tray to thereby force the label lower portion into the tray and assure proper stacking of the labels in the tray.

United States Patent 1191 Ernst LABEL STACKING APPARATUS [75] Inventor:Richard J. Ernst, Palatine, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 125,984

[52] U.S. Cl. 83/92, 83/96, 83/302,

83/408, 83/519 [51] Int. Cl B26d 9/00, B65h 35/08 [58] Field of Search83/92, 93, 94, 96,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,182,821 5/1965 Parker214/7 3,560,309 2/1971 Gruver et a1. 225/94 X 662,186 11/1900 Carlaw 1.83/94 1,231,028 6/1917 Jordan 214/7 2,011,505 8/1935 Smith 83/962,011,614 8/1935 Bustamante 83/96 2,252,733 8/1941 Sherman ct a1 83/94 X3,001,789 9/1961 Emslie et al. 214/7 UX 45 June 19, 1973 3,630,12212/1971 Chambon ..83/94X Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost Att0rney-JamesJ. Ralabate, Donald F. Daley and Frederick E. McMullen [57] ABSTRACT Alabel stacking apparatus including a tray for stacking individual labelsin succession on edge and in a generally upright position. Label feedermeans supply the labels in succession to the stacking tray, there beingguide means opposite the feeder means outlet to guide the labels to thestacking tray inlet. In entering the stacking tray, the bottom portionof the labels tends to offer greater resistance to movement into thetray with the result that succeeding labels tend to become more and morecanted. To obviate this, cyclically operated cam means are provided topush against the lower portion of the labels as each label enters thestacking tray to thereby force the label lower portion into the tray andassure proper stacking of the labels in the tray.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I Q. 201i, 5 52 y/L :1 11 1,5 1i 52 I62 115a 1 llllllllllm PATENIED 3.739.667

9m 1 If '2 FIG.

XNVENTOR. RICHARD J. ERNST ATTOHWE Y PATENTED Jim 9 SIEUZUZ FIG: 3

1 LABEL STACKIN G APPARATUS This invention relates to a label stackingapparatus, and more particularly to an improved label stacking apparatushaving positive stacking means.

Present day addressing machines are designed to perate with uncut labelstock, the addressing machine labeling head incorporating means such asknives for separating the uncut label material into individual labelswhich are then supplied to the labeling head transfer wheel. There theindividual labels or the address information therefrom, is transferredto the articles being addressed in a manner known to those skilled inthe art.

The ability of labeling heads of this type to accurately handle uncutlabel material at high speed, as well as the labeling heads generallyhigh level of reliability makes such devices attractive for use as labelcutters only. in this type of application, the label transfer mechanismis removed, and the labels are instead gathered for later use as theyare discharged from the labeling head cutting apparatus.

lt is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved apparatus for stacking cut labels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a label generatorhaving improved means to automatically stack the labels for later use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus forhandling uncut label material having means to first separate the labelmaterial into individual labels and thereafter gather the labels instacks for subsequent use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvededge stacker for labels incorporating means to assure uniformdisplacement of the labels into the stacking tray without misalignmentor jamming thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved labelstacking mechanism adapted to facilitate use of the labeling head of anarticle addressing machine as the label supply means, the stackingmechanism having means operated in timed relationship with the labelinghead to push each label received downwardly and inwardly into thestacking tray to thereby assure uniform stacking.

it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus for generating bag tags from uncut label stock using alabeling head and a tag stacker, the latter incorporating means to drivethe lower portion of the tags into a tag stacking tray to obviate anytendency for the tags to stick.

This invention relates to an apparatus for stacking individual labels insuccession comprising, in combination, tray means for stackingindividual labels on edge in a generally upright position; means forsupplying labels; means for guiding the labels from the label supplymeans discharge to the tray means so that each succeeding label tends toforce preceding labels stacked in the tray means further into the traymeans, and means adapted to exert a positive force against the lowerportion of the labels on entry of each label into the tray means wherebyto assure predetermined stacking of the labels in the tray means in agenerally upright manner and without excessive canting thereof.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuingdescription and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, showing the label stackingapparatus of the present invention coupled with a labeling head modifiedfor this purpose;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the label stacking apparatus of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings there is shown the label stacking apparatus,designated generally by the numeral 10, of the present invention. Forpurposes of explanation, the apparatus 10 is supported on and coupled toan examplary labeling head, designated gener ally by the numeral 5.Labeling head 5 is normally sup ported on a suitable base incorporatinga feeder mechanism for bringing articles to be labeled, such asenvelopes, into operative relationship with the labeling head transferwheel. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the transferwheel serves to transfer either a label or the address informationtherefrom onto the articles being labeled. Apparatus of this type,normally called an addressing or labeling machine, is shown anddescribed in application Ser. No. 91,775 filed Nov. 23, 1970 in the nameof Robert A. Davis. Where the stacking apparatus 10 is used, the articlefeeder is removed or otherwise rendered inoperative. The aforedescribedtransfer wheel of labeling head 5 is removed and the stacking apparatus10 described hereinafter substituted therefor. The label form feed andknife mechanisms of the labeling head 5, which remain, serve as thesupply source for labels to be stacked by the stacking apparatus 10. Itwill be appreciated however that the label stacking apparatus 10 may beused with any suitable supply of labels.

Labeling head 5 has a frame 6 adapted to be mounted or otherwisesupported on the aforementioned base, designated here by the numeral 7.Suitable motor means (not shown) for driving labe1ing head 5, and thelabel stacking apparatus 10 mounted thereon, are pro vided and may beconveniently mounted on base 7. The upper portion 8 of frame 6 oflabeling head 5 supports the label feeding and cutting mechanisms aswill appear herein.

Labeling head 5 has a label strip feeding track or trough 12 extendingacross the front side thereof opposite guillotine l5, trough 12terminating at a point just upstream of rotary knife assembly v30. Aswill appear, the strips 19 of label material cut by guillotine 15 ridealong trough 12 to rotary knife assembly 30. Guillotine 15 has areciprocal knife member 16 supported for vertical up and down movementin extensions 21 of the labeling head frame 6. The guillotine knifemember 16 is reciprocated by means of a suitable eccentric shaft 22,links 24 being provided to operatively connect knife member 16 withshaft 22. A suitable lower knife edge 14 is provided on labeling headframe 6, to provide the necessary cutting or shearing action on descentof knife member 16. Eccentric shaft 22 is intermittently rotated intimed relation with the uncut label form feeding mechanism and with therotary knife assembly 30 to provide a steady stream of labels tostacking apparatus 10.

The uncut label material 18, nominally termed a label form, consists ofa sheet or web of labels 20 arranged in multiple rows 26. Labeling head5 includes a feed sprocket pair (not shown) to feed the label form 18 toguillotine 15, form 18 being'provided with perforated margins 27 forthis purpose. The form feed sprocket pair are driven intermittentlythrough a suitable drive means (not shown) to index form 18 forward onelabel row at a time in timed relationship with operation of guillotinel5. Suitable cutting means (not shown) are provided just upstream ofguillotine to remove margins 27 prior to feeding of the uncut label form18 under the raised guillotine 15 as known to those skilled in the art.

The label strip 19 discharged from guillotine 15 onto trough 12 iscarried toward rolls 32, 34 of rotary knife assembly 30 by means of afeed roll pair 28, 29 provided adjacent the discharge end of trough 12.To provide the requisite feeding control, feed roll 29 is supported by alink 31 arranged to swing into and out of pinching engagement with roll28. Roll 28 is driven by suitable means (not shown) while suitable cammeans (not shown) are provided to pivot link 31 and swing roll 29 intoand out of operative contact with roll 28, the timing being such thatfeed roll pair 28, 29 are operative as each label strip 19 is cut off byguillotine 15 to move the strip forward end into the operating nip ofrotary knife assembly 30.

The rotary knife assembly 30 includes a lower knife bearing roll 32 andcooperating upper anvil roll 34 operatively disposed adjacent thereto.Preferably, rolls 32, 34 are each driven (in the direction shown by thesolid line arrows in FIG. 2), there being suitable drive means (notshown) for this purpose. Knife roll 32 is supported on shaft 36journaled in the labeling head frame 6. A knife 35 is supported on roll32, the cutting line of knife 35 extending in a direction generallyparalleling the axis of shaft 36 and transverse to the direction ofmovement of label strip 19 along trough 12. The tip or blade of knife 35projects slightly above the periphery of roll 32 to provide therequisite cutting contact with the surface of anvil roll 34.

The peripheral surface of knife roll 32 is undercut at 37, the remainingportion of roll 32 forming a feeding surface engageable with theperiphery of anvil roll 34 to form a pinch surface for feeding labelstrip 19 forward one label length at a time. It is understood that thearcuate extent of the feeding surface of knife roll 32 may be varied toaccommodate different label lengths.

The anvil roll 34 is comprised of a relatively hard material, normallysteel, and is carried by a shaft 39 journaled in frame 6 adjacent to andabove knife roll 32. As described, the surface of anvil roll 34cooperates with knife roll 32 both to form a pinch surface for advancinglabel form 19 one label length at a time and to form a cutting supportor pressure surface for knife 35. To route the labels discharged byrotary knife assembly 30 to the labeling head transfer wheel, there isnormally provided a guide member 45, having a downwardly curved interiorsurface 46.

Stacking apparatus 10 includes a tray-like receptacle 50 arranged belowand in alignment with the discharge side of rotary knife assembly 30.Tray 50 has a base plate 51 flanked by a pair of upstanding sides 52,53, base 51 and sides 52, 53 cooperating to form, when viewed in crosssection, a generally U-shaped receptacle adapted to receive and hold thelabels on edge. Sides 52, 53 of tray 50 are spaced apart a distanceslightly greater than the width of the labels 20 being handled.Preferably one or both of the sides 52, 53 are supported for adjustmenton base 51 to permit the distance therebetween to be matched with thesize label being handled. The height of sides 52, 53 is sufficient tohold the labels 20 upright in stacked condition, the height of the innerside 52 preferably being somewhat greater than that of side 53 tofacilitate grasping and removal of the labels 20 from tray 50.

To provide the necessary upright stacking action, a displaceablestacking block 55 is provided, the inside edge 56 of block 55 serving toform in effect a displaceable end wall to tray 50. Block 55, which isformed from a relatively hard rubbery material, is dimensioned toloosely fit within tray 50. In this way, the labels 20 entering tray 50serve to incrementally move or slide the block 55 outwardly (in thedirection of the solid line arrow in FIG. 2) along base 51, it beingunderstood that the frictional drag developed between block 55 and tray50 resists such movement. As will be appreciated, other types of stackloading or biasing mechanisms, such as springs may be used in place ofblock 55.

To provide the requisite directional control over the labels leavingrotary knife assembly 32, a downwardly projecting deflector plate 57 issecured to the lower side of guide member 45, the inside wall 59 ofplate 57 being substantially flush with surface 46 of member 45. Anupstanding lower guide 58 is provided at the inlet to tray 50 below andslightly forward of deflector plate 57. Lower guide 58 cooperates withdeflector plate 57 and the inside edge 56 of stacking block 55, or ofthe preceding label, to direct the labels edge first to the stackingtray 50 at the inlet thereto.

To obviate any tendency for the lower portions of the labels to drag orlag behind the upper portions thereof as the labels move deeper intotray 50 and hence cause the labels to assume an excessive tilt or cant,a stack pusher in the form of cam 60 is provided at the tray inletadjacent the tray base 51. Cam 60, which has a single operating lobe 61,is supported on cam shaft 62. Cam shaft 62 is suitably journaled insides 52, 53 of tray 50. Cam 60 is sized and cam shaft 62 located sothat the tip of cam lobe 61 thereof moves through guide member 58 andinto the stacking tray inlet area each time cam 60 is rotated. Toaccommodate cam 60, guide member 58 is suitably apertured at 64. As willbe understood, lobe 61 of cam 60 rides against the lower portion of thelast label received in tray 50 to move the labels 20 together withstacking block 55 deeper into tray 3 50 as required. Where the labelsare properly stacked, movement of cam lobe 61 into tray 50 is withouteffect. Support shaft 36 of knife roll 32 and cam shaft 62 each carryuniformly sized pulleys 66, 67 on their outer ends. Drive belt 68 isstretched across pulleys 66, 67 to drive cam shaft 62 and cam 60 inunison with and at the same speed as knife roll 32, the driverelationship being such that cam lobe 61 of cam 60 moves throughaperture 64 and into the tray inlet area concurrently with or subsequentto movement of label 20 into tray 50.

Preferably, cam 60 is timed so that cam lobe 61 thereof passes throughthe inlet area of tray 50 shortly after each label enters tray 50 andbefore the next succeeding label, this latter being desired to preventthe cam lobe 61 from interfering with or disrupting movement of the nextlabel into the tray 50. If desired, cam 60 may be timed so that cam lobe61 thereof enters the tray inlet area concurrently with the label.

In operation, the uncut label form 18 is advanced one label width at atime to guillotine 15 by the form feeding mechanism of labeling head 5,guillotine 15 serving to cut the form 18 transversely into strips 19 onelabel wide and two or more labels long. It is understood that the numberof uncut labels in each strip 19 corresponds to the number of label rows26 on label form 18. The label strips 19 discharge from guillotine 15onto trough l2 and are advanced therealong by pinch roller pair 28, 29into the nip of rotary knife rolls 32, 34. The pinch surface of kniferoll 32 cooperates with the surface of anvil roll 34 to feed the strip19 forward an amount equal to one label length, knife 35 cooperatingwith anvil roller 34 to cut the label 20 from strip 19. Cut labels 20leaving the rotary knife assembly 30 are routed downwardly edge first tothe inlet of stacking tray 50 by guide member 45 and deflector plate 57,guide member 58 serving to assure entry of the labels into tray 50. Aseach label 20 enters tray 50, the lobe 61 of the rotating cam 60 passesthrough aperture 64 in guide member 58 and into the tray inlet area towipe in a downward direction against the fresh label. At the same time,the cam lobe 61 serves to move the lower edge of the fresh labeltogether with any labels previously stacked in tray 50 and block 55backwardly along the tray base 51 and deeper into tray 50. This obviatesany tendency for the labels to jam or mis-stack due to failure of thelower label portions to slide into tray 50.

It will be understood that the stacking apparatus may be usedindependently of labeling head 5 or in conjunction with other mechanismswhich provide a strip-like supply of uncut labels to rotary knife 30.For example, the label supply strip 19 may consist of a roll supplyarranged to be fed to rotary knife assembly 30. Alternately, other typesof label separators such as a bursting mechanism may be provided inplace of rotary knife assembly 30. And, in cases where precut labels areto be stacked, rotary knife assembly 30 may be replaced by or used as afeed roll pair.

While the invention has been described with refert ence to the structuredisclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth but is intendedto cover such modifications, or changes as may come within the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for separating uncut label material having labelsarranged in at least two longitudinal rows into individual labels andthen stacking the labels for use, the combination of first cutting meansfor cutting said material transversely between said label rows wherebyto provide strips of label material comprised of at least two labels;

second cutting means for cutting said strips into single labels;

a tray for edge stacking single labels, said tray being disposed so thatthe inlet thereto is opposite to and below the label discharge point ofsaid second cutting means whereby labels from said second cutting meansmay be stacked in said tray, said tray including a displaceable stackingwall resistant to movement and against which said labels are stacked;

means to guide said labels from said second cutting means into said trayinlet;

a rotatable packing cam arranged opposite said tray inlet adjacent thebottom thereof, said cam having a lobe adapted to intrude slightly intosaid tray inlet and against the lower portion of said labels to forcesaid labels deeper into said tray against the resistance of saidstacking wall;

and means for rotating said cam in timed relation with said secondcutting means so that said cam lobe passes through said tray inletbefore the next label is discharged to said tray.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means to guide saidlabels from said second cutting means into said tray inlet comprises afirst downwardly projecting guide opposite said label supply meansdischarge adapted to route said labels downwardly toward said troughmember inlet, and a second upstanding guide opposite said trough memberinlet to route said labels into said trough member, said second guideforming a front wall portion of said trough member and having anaperture therein through which said rotatable packing cam passes.

1. In an apparatus for separating uncut label material having labelsarranged in at least two longitudinal rows into individual labels andthen stacking the labels for use, the combination of first cutting meansfor cutting said material transversely between said label rows wherebyto provide strips of label material comprised of at least two labels;second cutting means for cutting said strips into single labels; a trayfor edge stacking single labels, said tray being disposed so that theinlet thereto is opposite to and below the label discharge point of saidsecond cutting means whereby labels from said second cutting means maybe stacked in said tray, said tray including a displaceable stackingwall resistant to movement and against which said labels are stacked;means to guide said labels from said second cutting means into said trayinlet; a rotatable packing cam arranged opposite said tray inletadjacent the bottom thereof, said cam having a lobe adapted to intrudeslightly into said tray inlet and against the lower portion of saidlabels to force said labels deeper into said tray against the resistanceof said stacking wall; and means for rotating said cam in timed relationwith said second cutting means so that said cam lobe passes through saidtray inlet before the next label is discharged to said tray. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means to guide said labelsfrom said second cutting means into said tray inlet comprises a firstdownwardly projecting guide opposite said label supply means dischargeadapted to route said labels downwardly toward said trough member inlet,and a second upstanding guide opposite said trough member inlet to routesaid labels into said trough member, said second guide forming a frontwall portion of said trough member and having an aperture thereinthrough which said rotatable packing cam passes.